“Escape to Margaritaville,” the Jimmy Buffett jukebox musical that made its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2017, is back.
On Wednesday, Moonlight Stage Productions opened the first San Diego County production of the show since the Playhouse sent it off to Broadway for a brief run.
And just like in the original run in La Jolla, the Moonlight production makes up for the show’s less-than-inspired book with the boozy, feel-good vibes of the late Buffett’s party-hearty spirit.
Audience members are showing up Vista’s Moonlight Amphitheatre dressed in grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts; they’re singing along to the songs; they’re doing callbacks for Buffett’s lost shaker of …. “Salt! Salt!”; and they’re batting beach balls to each other during the finale.
For those who missed “Escape to Margaritaville” the first time around, it features a 25-song score by Buffett that includes many of his hits and more songs he wrote for the show.
Bookwriters Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley set the story on a tropical island, where Buffett’s alter-ego, Tully, is a cheerful singer-songwriter who entertains tourists at a beach bar. His carefree life is shaken when he falls in love with Rachel, a career-focused scientist who arrives from Cincinnati on a bachelorette trip with her best friend, the soon-to-be-married Tammy.
The slim story involves Tully getting Rachel to loosen up and Tammy figuring out her own romantic destiny (hint, it’s not her fat-shaming fiancé). There’s also a volcano, a long-haired beach bum who misplaces his salt shaker and some dancing insurance agent zombies (yes, you read that right).
The book isn’t good, but the music is lively and fun. And thanks to director Noelle Marion’s colorful and high-spirited production, it’s breezy and fun if you came for a good time. A big plus in this production is Moonlight’s new high-definition video wall which produces a terrific volcano effect (created by projection designer Blake McCarty), and the costumes, props and some scenic elements from the musical’s national tour.
Starring in the show as Tully is someone many San Diego theatergoers have seen onstage but may not recognize without his green makeup and furry pompadour. Andrew Polec, who has played the Old Globe’s Grinch for the past three seasons, is a perfect fit for the part.
Not only is the San Diego resident a laid-back guy, he’s also a longtime fan of Hawaiian shirts and that shaggy blonde hair is all his. He’s also married to the show’s director, Marion, and she knows what he’s capable of. Polec made his breakthrough in the 2016 rock musical “Bat Out of Hell,” and he’s got strong guitar skills and a big rock tenor voice. He can also sing in a key well above Buffett’s baritone so his solos are knockouts.
Other standouts in the cast are strong singers Ashley Moniz as Rachel and Jazley Genovese as Tammy, and endearing Fisher Kaake as island bartender Brick. And adding much of show’s comic entertainment are Constance Jewell Lopez as Marley and David Kirk Grant as the one-eyed beach bum J.D. Music director-conductor Tamara Paige leads a nine-piece beach band from the pit and Jimmy Locust designed choreography.
Buffett last-ever public concert before his death last September was in San Diego on May 6, 2023. He had a legion of fans here and no doubt they’ll make his “Margaritaville” spirit feel welcome at the Moonlight.
‘Escape to Margaritaville’
When: 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Through June 22
Where: Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Way, Vista
Tickets: $15-$60
Info: (760) 724-2110
Online: moonlightstage.com